GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 683

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Sponsors: Representatives Bonner; Blue, Fitch, Goodwin, McAllister, Michaux, Morris, and Wainwright.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

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March 31, 1997

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF DR. JOY JOSEPH JOHNSON, FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson was born in Laurel Hill on November 2, 1922, to William Joseph Johnson and Edith Buchanan Johnson; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson attended the Scotland County Public Schools, graduated from the Laurinburg Institute in 1941, and Shaw University in 1945, and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Friendship College, South Carolina, in 1965; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson was a minister and served as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fairmont; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson rendered distinguished service to various religious organizations, serving as a member of the Lumber River Baptist Association, as President of the Southern Region of the National Progressive Convention of the United States of America in 1968, and as President of the North Carolina General Baptist Convention from 1974 to 1978; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson made significant contributions as a Mason and as a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the United Order of Salem, and the Independent Order of St. Luke; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson was a man of integrity who was genuinely interested in the people of his community, serving as the first African-American mayor and town commissioner of Fairmont, as Chair of the Fairmont Good Neighbor Council, as President of Lumber River Housing Development, Inc., and as a member of the Organized People's Investment Company; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson served as Vice-Chair of the Robeson County Democratic Executive Committee and as State Secretary of the North Carolina Branches of the NAACP; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson served with honor and distinction as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1971 to 1978; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson left the General Assembly upon his appointment to the North Carolina Parole Commission on which he served from 1978 to 1985; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson received numerous awards and recognitions including an honorary doctorate degree from Shaw University in 1972; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson was an active and devoted member of the Missionary Baptist Church; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson dedicated his life to the enrichment of many other lives, as a minister, civic leader, public servant, and devoted family member; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson died on December 30, 1996; and
Whereas, Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson is survived by his wife, Omega Foster Johnson; his daughter, Deborah Foster Killens; his grandchildren, Joy Alexandria Killens and Jenee' Killens; and other close relatives and friends;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson and expresses the deep gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for his life and service to North Carolina.
Section 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson.
Section 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Dr. Joy Joseph Johnson.
Section 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.